New Graduate Student Orientation, May 26, 2021 11 am - James ...

New Graduate Student Orientation, May 26, 2021
                                    11 am

            To download the slides of this powerpoint in advance of this presentation,
            please visit https://www.jmu.edu/grad/happenings/orientation.shtml and
                                  select the link with today’s date.

                                        Virtual Meeting Etiquette
            Please read the information below and following the requests as much as
                possible. This will help the event to run more smoothly. Thank you!

•   Please set your microphone to mute when you are not speaking.
•   You may put your webcam/video on, but please note that if we experience bandwidth issues, you may
    need to turn it off.
•   Test your audio just after logging in.
•   Use non-verbal means to communicate with the presenter whenever possible. Communicate and ask
    questions through the chat channel. A moderator will be assisting the presenter to answer those
    questions. Try not to repeat questions in the chat channel.
•   Close down extra tabs unless necessary to remove distractions. Avoid having email, Facebook, or other
    applications open.
•   Shutdown other devices taking up bandwidth if possible, to help ensure a stable connection.
•   If you are speaking, do so slowly and clearly – practice brevity whenever possible.

New Graduate Student Orientation, May 26, 2021, 11 am
                     Agenda

                             Welcome and Introductions

        Session 1: Graduate Student Success and Professional Development
                  General Graduate School Policies and New Student To-Do’s

                                Campus and Online Resources

                       Professional Development and Grant opportunities

                 Student Success Recourses (THRIVE, GSA, Access and Inclusion)

                               Session 2: What to Expect

                                 Responsibilities as a Graduate Student

                                     Virtual Campus Tours

                    https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/visit/virtual/index.shtml

The Student Services Team
                         of
               The Graduate School

 Laura Ryman, Interim Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate
                        Student Services
             Pamela Bell, Administrative Assistant
 Boris Escalona, Director of Graduate Student Financial Support
            Kathryn Brown, Degree Audit Specialist
           Saman Nasser, Student Services Assistant
              Olivia Rominiyi, Graduate Assistant

General Graduate School Policies:
 Enrollment
    9 hours plus per semester is considered “full time”; 5 hours minimum necessary to
     be eligible for financial aid, including assistantships
    Continuous Enrollment: You must be enrolled in at least 1 graduate credit hour
     each fall and spring semester, summer is excluded, in order to remain an active
     graduate student
        If continuing with coursework, such as thesis or dissertation, or comprehensive
         assessment, you must enroll in your program’s respective continuance course
        If desiring to take a semester off for any reason (personal, family, medical, etc.) you can
         enroll in GRAD 597, Leave From Study, a 1 credit “place holder” ($50 tuition), for each
         semester you desire to be off
        Leave of Absence – you can take a leave of absence from the university for an
         extended time if needed, and you will not be considered an active student. You must
         contact your program when you are ready to re-enroll and be either readmitted or
         reinstated to your program.

General Graduate School Policies:
 Grading and GPA
    The basic grading scale at the graduate level at JMU is
     A, B, C, or F; S or U; or Incomplete
    A grade of F or U results in dismissal from your graduate program and JMU
    Three (3) grades of C results in dismissal from your graduate program and JMU
    A GPA of 3.0 is expected for you to earn your degree. (Generally, grades of B
     and above will get you the 3.0 .)
    Academic Warning: received when your GPA dips below a 3.0 or when you
     receive two (2) C’s in your graduate career.
    Academic Dismissal: occurs when you receive an F or U or three (3) C’s.
    Incomplete grades must be resolved in the semester following receipt. An
     incomplete grade that is not resolved at the end of the semester following
     receipt will turn to a WF, and you will not receive credit.
    You just have to wait a year after dismissal to apply to return to your program.

General Graduate School Policies:
New Student To-Do Checklist:

 For students in programs that are intended to be offered fully or partly on
  campus:
     Submit Your Immunization and Health History to the University Health Center
         Visit the University Health Center's incoming students page to learn more about what
          you need to submit as a new student.

     Obtain your JACard at Card Services (2nd floor, Student Success Center)
         JACard gives you access to classrooms, computer labs, services, events, purchased
          meal plans, and declining balance accounts you may choose to use (Dining Dollars,
          Dining Dollars Gold, and FLEX).

General Graduate School Policies:
New Student To-Do Checklist:
 Set Up your Dukes Email
    Check your email regularly or set it up to forward to an account you check
     regularly.
 Complete Tests and Trainings Required of All Graduate Students
    The Honor Code Test
         due by end of your first semester

    Sexual Assault/Violence Prevention Training – You will receive an email invitation
     to the training. That email will specify the due dates.
 Check-In and Enroll through MyMadison.jmu.edu
    Enroll in courses by the appropriate deadlines. If your program handles
     enrollment on your behalf, it is still your responsibility to verify your enrollment is
     correct and adhere to enrollment related deadlines.

General Graduate School Policies:
New Student To-Do Checklist:

 Work with your Advisor to Plan your Program of Study
     Communicate with your advisor to make sure you understand your program of study
      requirements before or during your first semester.
     If your program of study will deviate from your catalog requirements, talk to your
      advisor about what paperwork you all will need to submit.
 Transfer Credits Taken Prior To Admission
     This includes coursework taken at another institution or coursework taken prior to your
      admission into your current program at JMU (as an undergraduate or a non-degree
      seeking student).
     The Approval of Transfer Credit form must be approved by your graduate program
      and submitted to The Graduate School by the end of your first semester.
 Complete Any Conditions of your Admission
     Submit Official Transcripts from Other Institutions
     Complete Any Conditions your Graduate Program Assigned to You

General Graduate School Policies:
Preparing for Graduation

    Work With Your Advisor to Submit Any Necessary Forms in a
     Timely Manner
        Substitutions/Waivers
        Concentration Change
        Approval of Transfer Credit
        Comprehensive Assessment Results
    Be Aware of Deadlines
    Time Limit to Completing Degree Requirements
        Masters and Ed.S. students have 6 years to complete
         requirements
        Doctoral student have 8 years to complete requirements
    Apply to Graduate through MyMadison
        Applications will be due 8-10 months in advance of your anticipated
         graduation date.

On Campus Resources:
   Madison Hall -
      The Graduate School (Deans and staff offices and Graduate Student Development Center/Lounge) (4th Floor)
            THRIVE (4th floor, room 4079)
            Grad ‘N Go
      Access and Inclusion (Diversity, Title IX office, etc.) (4th Floor)
      Center for Global Engagement (International student services…) (2nd Floor)

   Student Success Center -
      Learning Resource Center (Communication Center and Writing Center) (1st Floor)
      Office of Disability Services (1st Floor)
      Card Services (JACard) (2nd Floor)
      University Health Center (2nd Floor)
      Counseling Center (3rd Floor)
      Career and Academic Planning (3rd Floor)
      Financial Aid (5th Floor)
      University Business Office (5th Floor)
      Office of the Registrar (5th Floor)

On Campus Resources:
 Libraries:
     Carrier Library (Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities) – West Campus Side
     Rose Library (Health/Applied/Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics) – East Campus
      Side
 Entertainment:
     Taylor Down Under (billiards, comedy, concerts, open mic nights) (Madison Union 1st
      Floor)
     Forbes Center of the Performing Arts (music, dance, theater)
     Bridgeforth Stadium (football/sports)
     Grafton-Stovall Theatre (movies, lectures/speakers)
 Student Support Groups
     Student Veterans Association
     Madison Equality/ LGBTQ and Ally Education Program
     CMSS (Center for Multicultural Student Services)
     THRIVE (Dedicated support for graduate students)

Online Resources:
 Online orientation -
     An online site to which you can refer for additional information on expectations,
      financial resources, health and wellness resources, and local information (such as
      dining, entertainment, transportation)
 Counseling Center Virtual Resources:
  https://www.jmu.edu/counselingctr/virtual_resources.shtml
 Career and Academic Planning student resource page
  https://www.jmu.edu/cap/students/gradstudents/index.shtml
 University Libraries
  https://www.lib.jmu.edu/
 REBOUND:
  https://sites.lib.jmu.edu/rebound/
 Resources for online students:
  https://www.jmu.edu/online/resources/index.shtml

Professional Development

 Three Minute Thesis Competition

 Showcase of Graduate Scholarship and Creative
  Activities

 The Cohen Center https://www.jmu.edu/cohencenter/ ;
     offering podcasts, events, and resources.

Grant Opportunities:

 Travel Grant Program
    TGS offers a competitive travel grant program to support graduate students to
     participate/present at professional conferences, meetings, and competitions
        Eligibility: currently enrolled and in good standing, and identified as one of the
         authors/presenters/contributors of the work
        Fall cycle, awards will be up to the cost of registration for the conference or webinar.

 Global Opportunity Scholarship
        This competitive scholarship supports students who participate in graduate-
   level study abroad experiences (outside of the United States.)
        Eligibility: currently enrolled and in good standing, and participating in a JMU-affiliated
         global experience and receiving JMU course credit for the work
        Scholarship amount: $1000

Access and Inclusion/Diversity resources

www.jmu.edu/diversity
 Student Resources
    LGBTQ& Ally Education Program
    Madison Equality
    Multilingual Writer’s Community
    Black Alumni Chapter
    CMSS
    Multicultural D.E.E.P. Impact
    JMU Interfaith Coalition
    Center for Global Engagement
    Disability Services

Email: thrive@jmu.edu

                        Phone: 540-568-5718

                        Madison Hall 4th Floor
                            Room 4079

                     www.jmu.edu/grad/THRIVE

A subset of THRIVE is the International Graduate Student Organization (IGSO).
      The coordinator of this organization is Abir Maryam, maryamax.

Graduate Student Association

https://www.jmu.edu/grad/graduate-student-life/gsa.shtml

      https://www.facebook.com/JMUGSA/

                      gsa@jmu.edu

                  Ellen Jones, Co-President

                  Erin Hernon, Co-President

Session 2: What to Expect

Responsibilities as a Graduate Student

The Nature of Graduate Study
• Different from the undergraduate
  experience.
   •   Undergrad focuses on mastering what is
       already known. Graduate focuses on
       adding to the body of knowledge and
       discovery.

   •   No general education courses

• Very challenging and intellectually
  rewarding                                     • Thesis, dissertation, clinical research
                                                  project….
• Lots of Reading and Writing.
                                                • Balance multiple priorities.
• Practicums and clinical experiences.          • Significant amount of self-direction.

The Nature of Graduate Study
Developing a Professional Identity…
• You will be defining your professional identity through
    • conference presentations
    • Publications
    • college teaching or advising
    • developing expertise in your specific discipline
    • Your research or scholarly work

• The people affiliated with your program may become like family. That includes fellow
  students and your professors. These individuals become the first in your new professional
  network.

• Career planning and job search begins when you begin your program.

The Nature of Graduate Study
Keys to a successful start:
• Define your program of study
     Know which courses you need to take and when to meet your degree requirements in a
     timely manner. It is your responsibility to enroll in the appropriate courses, in the right order, at
     the right time.
•   Communicate regularly with your advisor and/or Graduate Program Director. Know the
    policies, ask questions, know what you are responsible for versus your program director or
    advisor.
• Identify a mentor(s) (a person or a team of people with whom you feel an affinity and can
    discuss your aspirations and goals, who can help you professionally.)
• Identify skills that you wish to develop for your professional future. e.g. If you hope to
    teach at the university level in the future, look to develop teaching skills and experience.

• Be quick to LISTEN and slow to speak.

Key skills to develop and foster
    early in your graduate career:
•   Time management!                             • Professional demeanor and
•   Reading                                        disposition (Remember – it is important
                                                   to have fun but the probability of
•   Writing                                        someone watching you is directly

• Communication                                    proportional to the stupidity of your
                                                   actions.
• Self Care… find balance, eat well, take
    time for activities you enjoy that are not
    school.

•   Financial management… create a
    new budget; for most of you your financial
    situation changes drastically when going
    to graduate school.

Resources for developing those skills:

• Learning Services Instruction
• Learning Centers: Communication Center, Writing
  Center
• Counseling Center
• Career and Academic Planning
• Office of Financial Aid
• Engage with professional and social organizations (GSA,
  THRIVE, program student organizations, etc.)

Questions…

The Graduate School
4th floor Madison Hall
540-568-6131
grad@jmu.edu

Laura Ryman, Interim Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate
Student Services
540-568-7065
rymanle@jmu.edu

New to JMU’s campus and Harrisonburg?
       Virtual tours are available at the following link:

https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/visit/virtual/index.shtml

The links to the tours are located towards the bottom,
following the information on undergraduate admissions
virtual information sessions.